Spandex filaments containing certain metallic soaps

Abstract

Spandex filaments are provided with decreased tackiness by effective amounts of soap dispersed within the filaments. The soap is a metal salt of a fatty acid, the metal being calcium, lithium or magnesium and the fatty acid being a saturated or unsaturated fatty acid having 10 to 22 carbon atoms. Stearates are preferred.

We claim: 
     
       1. An improved spandex filament of the type having a lubricating finish on its surface, the improvement comprising a soap dispersed within the filament in an amount equal to at least 0.3% by weight of the filament and being a metal salt of a fatty acid, the metal being selected from the group consisting of calcium, lithium and magnesium and the fatty acid being selected from the group consisting of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids having 10 to 22 carbon atoms. 
     
     
       2. The filament of claim 1 wherein the concentration of the soap dispersed in the filament is no more than 5%. 
     
     
       3. The filament of claim 1 wherein the concentration of the soap dispersed within the filament is in the range of 0.5 to 1.0%. 
     
     
       4. The filament of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the fatty acid is a saturated fatty acid. 
     
     
       5. The filament of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the soap is a metal stearate. 
     
     
       6. The filament of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the soap is calcium stearate.